Davit



April 9,1940;- QJ. BOUDR'EAU- I 2,196,518

DAVIT Filed Nov. 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y a fizaerizf'or azeairyeaw 25 M, wfl 77 744 April 9, 1940.

C. J. BOUDREAU DAVI'I Filed Nov. 26, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 pril 9 1940. Q BQUDREAU 2,196,518

DAVIT Filed Nov. 26, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet .4

jrzajewr' 6M elfimmw a device which may be set up for use alone or in t r base member is curved longitudinally to con- Patented Apr. 1940 UNlTEb i 'STATE g DAVIT Claude J. Boudreau, Medford,- Mass. Application November 26, 1 937, Serial No. 176,483

sloops,'.motor boats, ,etc., it is frequently ,desirable to carry along a tendensuch as a dinghy,

and it' is usually necessary to carry the tender in tow'due to the difiiculties involved in launching and stowing. Although davit's and the like structures may 'be used on. large-sized boats, the

design of the hull orv superstructure of small.

Watercraft is such as to prohibit the use of davits of conventional construction.

The prlncipalob-jects of'the'presentinventio n are to provide a davit'or'the like device, which may be used on small watercraft and to provide conjunction with one or more similardevices,

of. locking device; 45

and which may be collapsed into a self-contained or nestedunit adapted to lie substantially fiat on the-deckof theboatQ I I 1 Further objects will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and ac- I I v I provided with a series of openings 9 (Fig. 6). In

companying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are side and top planviews of boat provided with davits constructed in accord ance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation. of

the invention'in erectedpositi'onj. I

' Fig. 4 is'an enlarged fragmentarytop plan, view, withparts broken aw ay,,showing the davit in collapsedpositionj f I' Fig. 5' is aglongitudinal section through the partsshown in Fig. 4;.

z Fig. 6 is an enlarg d section on the 111163.5 5 of Fig.3; 3

Fig. 31;

modifiedembodiment of the invention; Fig. 9-is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal I Fig. '10 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing another embodimentof the'invention;

Fig. 1l.- is" an. enlarged side. elevation" of the carriage member. of the embodiment shown in Fig.9; 7 "1 Fig-l2 'isa fragmentarytop plan view of the bow of a boat' provided with a davit of" the type showninFig; 10;

FigulSiis a...viewi similar toFi'g. 12, but illustrating' a davit. pivotall y secured at itsrear-and also one embodiment of 'Fig. 7I'is an enlarged sectiorilon the line l-'! of Fig.8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a a curved davit extending along the upper edge of the bow and Fig. 14 is a front elevation of a boat provided With a davit made in accordance with the present.

invention and illustrating its use in launching a d y. 1 1 1 -Referringto' Figs. 3 to ,7 inclusive, the embodir ment therein shown comprises an elongate channel-like base member I having spaced upstanding sides 2 and3 which are formed with inwardly extending flanges 4 and 5, asshown in Fig. 6. The I ends of the base member are preferably cut at an angle and provided with closure plates 6 (Fig. '3). after described are preferably made of rustproof stock, such as high chromium steel, bronze, or; the like, and where the device is designed for use on a boat having a curvedor crowned deck, the

{form with the contour of the deck, asillustrated .in Fig. 3. In order to'secure the-b'asemember in spaced laterally extendingears B (Fig. 3)' or, if desired, the bottom of the base" member may be either case the base member may. be firmly s e- The base member and other parts hereinposition it may be provided with a plurality of cured to the deckor superstructure-oi a boat, as

illustrated in Figs} 1 and-2. Y 1

,Mounted within the confines of the sides 2, 3 f .and flanges l, 5 of the base member is a carriage I Hl, here shown 1 as comprising a pair of spaced longitudinally extending bars or rails whose op:

posite ends H and ;l 2 .are' providedwith aligned openings which receive an axle l5 and stub shafts 16, respectively (Figs. 4 ands); Wheels or rollers Hare mounted on the axle, l5 an'drollers I8 are mounted on the stub shafts Hi, the. parts being so constructed and arranged that a slight clearance is provided between each of the rollers .andsides 2, 3 and flanges 4', 5, as illustrated 'in Figs. 5

and 6.

" ,One end-of -anelongate hoisting beamfll, here shown as a tubular member curvedlongitudinally to conform with the curvature'of the base member l, is pivotally mounted on the axle l5, and a brace member 22, integral with the stub shafts l6,

' is pivotally supported at the opposite *end of: the

carriage. Since the free end of thebeam is de- Y signed to overliethe brace when the parts are in nested position, the pivotally mounted end of the brace is formed with a recess 2| (Fig. 4) to ac commodate theundersurface'ofthe beam. .In the construction here shown the pivotally' mounted .endsof; the beam and brace may provide spacers in position, although, if desired, a U-shaped element 24'(Fig. 4) may be provided to serve not only as a spacer, but also as a reinforcement, it

being understood that the particular construction of the carriage and associated parts may be varied as long asithe requisite degree of strength and rigidity is provided. The length of the beam 29 is slightly lessthan that of the base I and its free end is provided with a loop, hook or the like I 23 to support a pulley or block and tackle, as shown in Fig. 14. r

A sleeve or collar is slidably mounted between the ends of the beam 20 and its undersurface preferably is dovetailed or otherwise shaped to provide an interlocking engagement may be required to hold it in position, but if desired, a set screw 28 (Fig. 7). or like fastening element may be provided to hold the sleeve in 7 any of a plurality of positions engageable with the free end of the brace 22.

Thev parts are so constructed and arranged that when the carriage I0 is disposed at one end of the base, the brace 22 may be swung or folded against the base and the beam 20 swung downwardly between the sides2 and 3, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which position both the beam and brace are nested within the base member. When thus collapsed the entire device takes up a minimum of space on the deckof the boat, and not onlyhas the appearance of but also serves as a reinforcing rib on the deck orcabin of the boat.

When using the device it is merelynecessary to swing the beam 20 and brace 22, upwardly from collapsed position so that the free end of the brace may be interlocked with the sleeve 25. When thus erected a pulley or block and tackle may be secured to the loop 23 and the carriage slid along the base member so that the beam is inoperative position. For example, if it be desired to launch adinghy' or discharge a cargo over the side of the boat, one end of the tackle may be'secured about the dinghyor cargo and then' sufficient tackle drawn in to suspend it in midair, after which the carriage may be slid along the base so that the load carried by the beam clears the side ofthe boat and then the tackle may be let out,- as illustrated in Fig. 14, and while maneuvering thecarriage, the tackle may be secured about the cleat 26. In order to take on and stow a dinghy or cargo, the procedure is simply reversed. The. davit shown in Fig.8 is substantially identical in all material particulars with that shown in Fig. 3, and the same or similar reference characters are applied to corresponding parts. As this particular type of davit is designed to be secured to a substantially flat deck of a boat, as r indicated at I in Figs. 1 and 2, the base member l is straight,rather than curved. As it may be desirable to lock the carriage at, some point along the base member, any suitable type of car riage lock may be provided. Ashere'shown by way of illustration, the carriage lock may comend or legs pivotally secured thereto so that its closed end may be swung from an upstanding position to a substantially horizontal or locking position. The legs of the member 30 are formed with cam-like noses 3| constructed and arranged to engage the base member when the closed end is swung to horizontal position, thereby providing a friction lock which prevents the carriage from being moved. If desired, a ring 32 or other suitable pull member may be secured to the closed end so as to provide a convenient means for quickly releasing the carriage lock.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown another modification which is designed to permit a greater degree of adjustment. In this embodiment the base member l is shaped to conform to the contour of its supporting surface, the parts being substantially the same as in the previously described embodiment. The carriage 10 is of somewhat different construction in that it consists of a casting form-ed with an, upstanding stub shaft 30 which rotatably. supports a collar 3| to whichthe lower end of the beam 20 is pivotally secured, as shown in Fig. '11. Theends of the carriage it are provided with openings which receive axles on which are mounted rollers l1 and 18 for supporting the carriageformovement longitudinally of the base The beam 20'? may be of U- shaped cross section, andja brace 22* (Fig. 10) is pivotally secured to the beam to hold it in anyof a plurality of upstanding positions. The lower end of the brace preferably is formed with a pointed end adapted either to project into openings or recesses formed in the base member or to bite into the deck of the boat or other supporting surface.

With this particular constructionthe beam is mounted for universal pivotal movement relative tothe base member and where, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 13, the base m-emberis secured to the bow of the boat, the beam may be manipudevice may be swung from one position to another, as indicated by the dot and dash lines of Figs. 12 and 13.

In Fig.13 I have also illustrated a davit having a base member I which is curved to conform with the curvature of the bow of the boat, in

which case the beam and brace membershave a curvature conforming to that of the base memidentical to those above described. Such'a davit may be disposed closely adjacent: to the edge of the deck and, if desired, this type of davit, as well;

as the types above described, may be built into .the deck so that theupper surface of the base member is substantially flush with the surface of the deck.

A davit constructed in accordance with the present invention. and having a length of the order of six feet may be built so that its gross weight is approximately seventy-five pounds or less and its carrying capacity four hundred pounds or more. Such a davit may be operated by a single personwithout difficulty and, if de sired, the davit may be used alone, as above described, or in conjunction with one or more similarly constructed davits, in which case the davits are preferably arranged in pairs I, l -etc., as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2. A single davit disposed at the bow of, the boat, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 13, is particularly useful in pulling in an anchor, and as the end of the beam 1 her, otherwise the parts may be substantially projects outwardly beyond the bow, there is no danger of the anchor scarring or injuring the finish of the boat.

an elongate carriage supported at opposite ends for movement along saidbase member, locking means carried by said carriage for holding it in any position along said base, a hoisting beam pivotally secured to said carriage, and a brace engageable with said hoisting beamfor supporting it in an upstanding position, said brace and beam being pivotally supported so as to be folded to,

lie substantially within the confines of said side walls, thereby to provide a compact assemblage substantially free from projecting parts.

2. A collapsible self-contained davit adaptedfor use on small watercraft, comprising an elongate base'having spaced upstanding side walls,v

an elongate carriage supported at opposite ends for movement along said base member, a hoisting beam pivotally secured to one endof said carriage, and a brace pivotally secured to the opposite end of said carriage, the free end of said brace being engageable with said hoisting beam for supporting it in an upstanding position, said brace and beam being pivotally supported so as to be folded to lie substantially within the confines of said side walls, thereby to provide a com pact assemblage substantially free from projecting parts."

3. A collapsible selfcontained davit adapted for use on small watercraft, comprising an elongate base having spaced'upstanding side walls, an elongate carriage supported at opposite ends for movement along said base member, locking means carried by said carriage for holding it in any position along said base, a hoisting beam pivotally secured to said carriage, a collar slidably mounted on said beam so as to move longitudinally thereof, means for'holding said collar in fixed position relative tosaid beam, and abrace pivotally supported on said carriage and engage able with said collar to support said beam in any of aplurality of upstanding positions, said brace and beam being pivotally supported so as to be folded to lie substantially within the confines of said side walls, therebyto provide a' compact assemblage substantially free from projecting parts; a

4. A collapsible self-contained davit adapted for use on small watercraft, comprising an elongate "base having. spaced upstanding side walls and inwardly directed retaining flanges, said base being shaped to conform with the contour of the surface to which it isdesigned to be secured, an elongate carriage having at its ends-rollers positioned beneath said flanges for supporting said carriage for movement longitudinally of said base, a hoisting beam pivotally secured to said carriage, and a brace engageable with said hoistin'gbeam for supportingiit in an upstanding position, said brace and beam being pivotally supprovide a compact assemblage substantially free from projecting parts.

5. A collapsible] self-contained. davit adapted for use on small watercraft, comprising an elon gate-base having spaced upstanding side walls, said base member being shaped to contorm with the; contour'of the surface to which it is'designed to be securedan elongate carriage having at its ends transversely extending axles, rollers mounted'on said axles and supporting said carriage for movementalong said base, a'hoisting beam piv otally supported by one of said axles, and a brace pivotally supported by the other of said, axles, the free end of said brace being engageable with said hoisting beam for supporting it "in an upported so as to be folded to lie'substantially with- I *"in" the'confines of said side walls, thereby tostanding position, said'brace and beam being piv- I otally supported so as to be folded toliesubstantiallywithin theconfines of said side walls, thereby to provide a compact assemblage substantially free from projecting parts. 7

- CLAUDE J. BOUDREAU. 

